The Nature of Things

February 2019

Written By:

Denise Mullen

Photographs by:

Scott Smallin

When weighing all of their options, it was an element of nature that made the purchasing decision for these discerning homeowners. Peek inside their houses, which will be featured stops on the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum Tour of Homes.

Graceful Grounds: Communing with the natural beauty of the property, landscaping, outdoor areas and even the converted porch make the most of their Golden Mile surrounds.

Heaven is Real: The outdoot living spaces at the Chartier home evoke a heavenly feel--understated by design, but magical in presence.

Reigning Oaks: The Chartier property is home to ages-old oak trees that set this address apart. In fact, the couple's decision to buy this very property was mainly due to the gorgeous, sprawling oak that anchors the backyard.

Master Class: A master bedroom was deftly retrofitted downstairs, looking as though it had always been there. The hickory and Brazilian cherry floor is design eye candy.

It's a Breezeway: The Chartiers made the most of transitions from the original floorplan of the beach house. The former breezeway steps down to the kitchen and a small hall space now does double duty as a laundry room and appliance dept.

Zen By Design: The Youmans personally designed their waterway home to honor sacred principles of configuration and their personal passions, which includes a downstairs yoga and meditation room.

Ease And Grace: The Youmans’ home is a decor statement in peace and tranquility. Lola, the family Labradoodle, loves to camp out in the airy main living area that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Wonders Of Woodwork: The dining area alone is a master class in woodwork with coffered ceilings, fireplace cladding and hickory flooring.

Bath Time: How can you beat a luxurious master suite soaker tub that also comes with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway?

Seaside Stunner: This oceanfront jewel debuted in 2007 as what Barbara Graham described as, “Malibu meets Palm Beach.” Her design has morphed over the years into “Old World Mediterranean,” but the beauty of this incredible property has not faded, inside or out.

Heading South: Over time, the Grahams decided that the only thing missing on their property was a pool. But they did not want to block their sweeping ocean vista with fencing, so the swimming pool went to the south side of the home, adjacent to the bar alcove with a bathroom. Perfect.

Kitchen Capers: Barbara used a mix of finishes and textures in the kitchen to achieve a classic yet provocative effect. Brick, mosaic tile, stone and limestone make this modest kitchen live large.

A Spa with a View: A soaking tub takes center stage in the master bedroom, offering a window-side view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Bedtime Story: The master suite in the Graham home follows design suit with relaxed earthy tones and an ocean presence through French doors.

Heaven is Real: The outdoot living spaces at the Chartier home evoke a heavenly feel--understated by design, but magical in presence.

Home of Ken and Joan Chartier4201 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

We always knew that we wanted to end up with a place at the beach,” says Joan Chartier. “And we wanted to live where the old houses were ... but in the end, what sold us on this property was the stunning oak tree in the backyard.”

In fact, the whole property is graced with a sprawling tangle of oak tree limbs that seem to hug its resident 4,500-square-foot home and “outdoor rooms.”

The couple took out most of the headers, built into the house in 1950, to open up the interior layout, as well as adding about 1,000 square feet of living space. But they were discerning enough to celebrate its lineage by preserving original features like built-in corner cabinets, an old-timey telephone niche, wood wall paneling and crystal doorknobs.

And with all the updates and modern creature comforts, the Chartiers employed careful planning to incorporate geothermal heating and cooling, a boulevard-side pool, and appliances retrofitted into an odd hallway off the kitchen, which now gives the space a sense of purpose.

Be sure to check out the gorgeous hickory and Brazilian cherry floor in the master bedroom, the Sadlemire iron sculpture that reigns between the living room and converted porch and the Gerhard Heintzman wood-carved piano dating back to the 1800s.

With a family home in Asheboro, North Carolina, a residence in Park City, Utah, and careers in sports marketing that have moved them from Chapel Hill to Atlanta to New Jersey and even to Portland, Oregon, I’d say it’s quite the endorsement that the Chartiers chose to get as rooted as those oak trees on the Grand Strand’s “Golden Mile.”

Home of Ronnie and Moira Younsman276 West Palms Drive, Waterway Palms Plantation

his is the “Zen-sational” stop on the home tour.

I kid you not. Ronnie (a former Jersey City fire captain) is a certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation teacher, Reiki Master and Sacred Sound Healer. And every square foot of this soaring waterway home resonates with peace, healing and spiritual harmony.

The “yoga room” on the ground floor hosts a collection of high-vibration gongs, singing bowls and tingsha bells. Vaulted ceilings and the use of sacred geometry heightens consciousness. A trio of star-reaching windows in the master bedroom allow the moon to beam in at night. And even the his-and-hers closet room incorporates alcoves for keepsakes and memorabilia to attract positive vibrations.

On a more mortal note, behold the kitchen beverage center with its own Keurig filler faucet and built-in utility fridge for creamers. And take in the array of custom woodwork, from cabinetry to coffered ceiling treatments and wood cladding on the fireplace.

Ronnie nods to Moira as “the decorator,” and the home is filled with mahogany pieces by Steve Shell and an elevator that pays tribute to her mom’s favorite song, “La Vie En Rose.”

So what was it about this location that spoke to their inner voices? “You see that brook and little waterfall across the waterway at Myrtlewood Golf Club?” asks Ronnie. “That signifies sacred ground and we get to see that everyday.”

Home of Carey and Barbara Graham6204 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

“The moon sold Carey on this house,” beams Barbara.

What was to be a bulldoze-and-flip oceanfront project twelve years ago became the Grahams’ dreamy Spanish Revival-style home after a full moon over the Atlantic convinced Carey to keep the property all to themselves.

“When we started to knock down the old 1940s beach house ... it was built like a fortress with steel beams and solid oak floors,” Barbara recalls. “And I told Carey, ‘When I get going on this house, you’re not going to want to sell it.’”

Barbara learned that the original stronghold of the structure was built by the R.J. Reynolds family and, day by day, the couple fell deeper under its 4,200-square-foot spell of yawning archways, rounded rooms, niches and a serpentine stairway.

Not to mention that at 100 feet wide, it’s one of the rarest oceanfront lots in Myrtle Beach.

“Malibu meets Palm Beach” was Barbara’s initial design vision for the house when it made its debut on this home tour back in 2007.

But since then, the home has morphed into what Barbara calls “Old World Mediterranean,” trading black-and-white for earthy tones and the grounding elements of Jerusalem limestone flooring, warm-tone brick and even a set of doors reclaimed from a naval ship.

There’s a lot to take in on this stop on the tour, but do treat yourself to a good look at the artisanal soapstone vessel sink in the half-bath, the lounge-and-bar room and some of the best ocean views ever!

Tickets $50 ($55 day of tour). A luncheon buffet will be offered for tour ticket holders only at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club, 9000 N. Ocean Blvd., from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. $22 per person. Reservations are required through the Art Museum at (843) 238-2510.